Preventing Water Damage:
It’s rainy season! The earth needs rain, but unfortunately, the rain can cause water damage to our basements and foundations. You’ll hear things like, “it’s normal to have a bit of a wet basement”, and “water will find a way and when it does, good luck stopping it.” It seems like a losing battle from the start, but it’s not. Get ready to put on the gloves, or rain boots in this case, and fight for a dry mold-free house! Follow these tips to stay above the water!
First, take Precaution:
“My house is flooded! I must grab my things right now!” Although it may not seem like it, standing water in your house can be extremely dangerous. It’s naturally our response to want to wade in and rescue our belongings, but if your electricity is still on that water might be your doom.
• Make sure you turn your electricity to the basement off before taking the risk.
• Make sure to protect all open sores and wear plastic gloves when handling compromised things.
• Floodwater has been known to contain high toxicity levels.
Start cleanup from a flood immediately to reduce the water damage:
Floods can cause the biggest messes, but not all has to be lost. Often you can prevent permanent water damage if you start drying everything out right away. This is especially the case if it was just a pipe burst or similar problem and water has not sat for long.
Not all is lost with your hardwood floor if water has found its way in!
First, use a wet vac to remove the water from the wood. Get the floor as dry as possible. Move with urgency. The longer the wood is wet, the better chance of permanent water damage. Wood will absorb water, even when finished.
To prevent mold, use a sudsy disinfectant on the flooring. Then use the wet vac again, just in case. Run a dehumidifier for at least 24 hours or longer, depending. Get as much air circulating as possible. Make sure it is not hot air. Heat can cause cupping and splitting. Circulate air also in the floor below to dry it from underneath. Once dry, check for mildew or mold. Use a moisture meter, a good content is between 6%-9%.
It might be best to call our friends at Restoration 1, depending on the severity. With floodwaters, the best outcome for your hardwood floors is having to sand and refinish. Way better than having to replace it.
What about mold and carpeting?
Mold hiding in carpet is a potentially dangerous suspect, due to it’s nature to go unnoticed. After the water has wreaked havoc, use fans and dehumidifiers to get the carpet as dry as possible. If you are really attached to your carpet, keeping it can be a possibility. However, the padding underneath must be replaced. This is typically where the mold tends to hang out.
• Get the carpet steam cleaned.
• Sanitize all baseboards and walls.
• Check your furniture for water damage. (Just like in the carpet, the padding underneath the material might hold mold)
Prevent mold from even starting.
Usually, where there is water damage there is also potential for mold to start growing. Evaluate all areas where water is usually present. If it is a bathroom, make sure there is proper ventilation. If it’s in the basement, a dehumidifier might be necessary.
Don’t let visible mold fester.
Mold will only get worse if not treated the right away. Use a solution that is 10% bleach and 90% water. Brush or spray it on surface and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and let dry. There are non-toxic products out there too. Here is more info on proper removal. When dealing with a larger mold problem, it might be best to call the professionals to rid it for good.
Olmec Reflections is no stranger to residential and commercial floor cleaning services. Our owner Don has 20+ years of experience in cleaning. Taking the time to provide a premium clean is always at top of mind. Whether your home has seen water damage or just puppy hygiene damage, we have the training and experience to help. Contact us today!